This is one of two Sobon family wineries located in Amador County's Shenandoah Valley. Sobon Estate is at the eastern edge of the valley, and is not only the oldest winery in the foothills, but is one of the oldest in the state. The D'Agostini family operated this facility for many years, before Leon and Shirley Sobon (owners of Shenandoah Vineyards) purchased the winery and vineyards in 1989, as a 30th-anniversary gift to each other.

Today, visitors are greeted by the rustic rock fountain in a courtyard (above), and a picnic area with vineyards spreading across the hits behind the buildings.

The Shenandoah Valley Museum occupies the original D'Agostini winery building, complete with huge wine casks, pioneer farming and wine-making implements, and valley artifacts. Sobon Estate wines inlcude three Zinfandels, each from a different vineyard, a Syrah, and an Orange Muscat, however a growing number of the winery's bottlings are Rhone-style varieties: Viognierand Rousanne, plus the blended "Rhone Rouge," and "Rhone Rose".

Winery Location: 14430 Shenandoah Road, near Plymouth
Tasting: 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily.